Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

Business Meeting --- February 11, 2008

Held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

 

Minutes

 

 The meeting was called to order by Roger Moffatt at 7:07 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Hamilton, Litsky, McBee, Moffatt, Skolnik, Siegel, Sobelsohn
 
 1.    Approval of agenda   (Do these items need to be numbered?  If yes, then Call to Order should also be numbered
Motion: Mr. Siegel moved and Mr. Litsky seconded the approval of the agenda.  The motion passed 7-0.
 2.    Community Concerns
Bonnie Brownstein, of Casey Trees, spoke about that organization’s various programs, including two tree plantings scheduled for Southwest in the spring.
3.         Southeastern University
Commissioner Skolnik updated the Commission on the problems with accreditation that Southeastern University is having.  Commissioner Skolnik stated that the University continues to be accredited, but is on probation, with a 2009 deadline to make the corrections that are needed.
 4.    Nation’s Triathlon
Charles Brodsky presented information on the National Triathlon that will take place on September 14th, and will use Hains Point as an area for racers to store their equipment from 5:00 AM, and will also use a small section of Maine Avenue, between West Basin Drive and Raul Wallenberg Place from 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM.  The race benefits the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society.  
Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner McBee seconded a motion to send a letter of support to the Emergency Management Task Force.  The motion passed 7-0.

 5.    St. Patrick’s Day 8 K Race

Rick Freeman presented information on the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 8K race, to benefit the Special Olympics.  The race enters the ANC area at 3rd and Constitution for a turnaround. 

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to send a letter of support to the Emergency Management Task Force.  The motion passed 7-0.

 6.    Change in Flood Plain Definition

Commissioner Litsky reported on the redrawing of the District’s flood plain lines by FEMA, which goes into effect on September 26th, and could mean that Southwest/Near Southeast residents will have to get flood insurance. The District is appealing the FEMA deadline, so there is time to properly update the levees at 17th Street.

 7.    Square 700 West Alley Closing
Christy Shiker, of Holland & Knight, and representatives of Monument Realty, the developer of the 700 West site, returned to the Commission with a revised and more specific community benefits proffer that now includes , which now includes a $50,000 contribution to the Community Investment Fund; a First Source employment agreement, and preference to ANC 6D residents in recruitment of construction workers, a 10% employment goal for ANC 6D residents, and a tie-breaking preference for ANC 6D residents; affordable housing for moderate income households (80% of AMI), with a priority to ANC 6D residents; and environmental benefits including environmental clean up of contaminated site, storm water management and energy efficient fixtures and appliances, The development is not in an area exempt from Inclusionary Zoning.  The developer will return to the Commission for support of an architectural review of the project at the Zoning Commission. 
Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to support the alley closing at Square 700, with the proviso that the words “It is anticipated that” are removed from line 6 of paragraph 3 of the Affordable Housing section of the letter of proffer.  (letter attached)  The motion passed 4-3, with Commissioners Hamilton, McBee and Skolnik in opposition.
 8.    Additional Baseball Parking Lot Locations
Joel Lawson, of the Office of Planning, presented information on additional squares that are being presented to the Zoning Commission on February 21st for inclusion in those areas that can be made available for baseball parking.
Commissioner Litsky read a resolution opposing the request (resolution attached) which points out that the lots will permit the parking of 2,950 automobiles in Southwest, which will cause a “threat to the health, safety and well-being of the nearly 6,000 residents living south of M Street SW,” and the Office of Planning has not provided an approved traffic plan prepared by DDOT in support of the lots, and there is no DDOT plan in place to enforce the Zoning Commission order preventing the Nationals from directing baseball patrons over I, 4th or P Streets SW.
Gregory McCarthy, Nationals Vice President for the Ballpark District, outlined the steps the Nationals are taking to educate people to use Metro and other means of transit to minimize automobile traffic.

 

Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to oppose the application by the Office of Planning to permit temporary surface parking lots at Squares 603, 605, 658, 661, 662, 662E, 664, 664E and 658.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

Motion:   Commissioner Skolnik moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to authorize Commissioners Litsky and Moffatt to represent the Commission in this matter.  The motion passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Sobelsohn abstaining, and  Commissioners Hamilton and  McBee not present .

 9.    Update on Liquor License Applications

 

H2O

 

Commissioner Skolnik reported that he is still in negotiation with H2O on a voluntary agreement.  Parties are working with an ABRA mediator with the hope of coming to an agreement. 

 

Zanzibar

 

Commissioner Skolnik reported that Zanzibar’s attorney has said that if they get their requested change from a restaurant to a nightclub license they might consider signing a voluntary agreement.  There is a protest hearing on March 26th.  The MPD and Councilmember Wells have sent letters against the license change. 

 

10.   Committees

 

Alcoholic Beverage and Licensing

 

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to appoint Coralie Farlee chair of the Alcoholic Beverage and Licensing Committee.  The motion passed 5-0 Commissioners Hamilton and McBee not present.

,

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to authorize Coralie Farlee to be an additional official representative of ANC 6D before the ABC in the case of Zanzibar.  The motion passed 5-0, Commissioners Hamilton and McBee not present.

 

There were no reports from the Development Committee or the Community Outreach Committee.

11.   Minutes

Motion: Commissioner McBee moved and Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to approve the November minutes.  The motion passed 4-3, with Commissioners McBee, Sobelsohn and Siegel in opposition.

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner McBee seconded a motion to table the January minutes.  The motion passed 5-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Skolnik in opposition.      

12.   Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Skolnik presented the Treasurer’s Report. The report shows that the opening checking account balance was $42,882.46, and that the savings account balance was $5,150.76.  There was an interest payment to the savings account of $2.19.  There were disbursements of $761.89 to Roberta Weiner for salary (Check #357); 97.51 to Verizon for telephone service (Check #358); $90 to St. Augustine’s Church for meeting space rental (Check #359; $41.63 to the DC Treasurer for taxes (Check #360); $424.58 to the US Treasurer for taxes Check #361); $25 to the ANC Security Fund (Check #362),  and $181.51 to Roberta Weiner for office supplies (Check #363) leaving a balance of $41,260.34 in the checking account, and $5,152.97 in the savings account.

Motion: Commissioner Skolnik moved and Commissioner Hamilton seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  The motion passed 6-0-1, with Commissioner McBee abstaining.

Quarterly Report

Motion: Commissioner Skolnik moved and Commission Litsky seconded a motion to approve the Quarterly Report for the First Quarter of FY 08.  The motion passed 7-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 pm